Articles & Features

Call me old-fashioned, but as a democratic socialist I believe politics is about principles. The “democratic” part matters. You make election promises. You keep them. After 22 years in parliament, I thought that was how democracy worked. Straightforward, honest politics.

Call me old-fashioned, but as a democratic socialist I believe politics is about principles. The “democratic” part matters. You make election promises. You keep them. After 22 years in parliament,...
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This week, I secured a debate on transport for towns. I want a new transport deal for Britain's towns. Read my article for PoliticsHome.

Photo: With Cllr Bill Mordue at the start of the Great Yorkshire Way final leg.

Successful towns need to move people around efficiently, moving workers from home to places of work at all hours; visitors to hospitals; patients to GPs; students to schools and colleges.

But the UK’s towns – many of them small towns, face different challenges from our big cities.

“Hold the front page!” Labour MPs argue for more cash for working class communities.” Claims that Government are buying votes over Brexit with MPs like me is simply wrong. No...
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Read my article about why MPs should focus on securing a deal - not delaying our departure from the European Union.

It's now 946 days since the UK voted to leave the EU in the referendum, 723 days since Parliament overwhelmingly voted to trigger Article 50, and 596 days since both Labour and the Conservatives pledged to honour the referendum outcome at the general election. You would think all those decisions meant no MP could countenance Remain as a viable option. How wrong you would be.

At times of great crises, Parliament often comes together to reflect the nation’s interest. In 2018, the British people have witnessed bitterness, sniping and endless parliamentary manoeuvring. ...
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Read my latest article for the Guardian on:

Why I won't prop up a Tory Government.

Keeping my general election promises.

Why I'm determined not to help the Rees-Mogg and Johnson hard-Brexiters.

Read why I won't prop up the Tory Government; and why I don't want to gift the Mogg-Johnsons the hardest of no deal Brexits. My interview with Arj Singh in...
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The north is known for industry, but we are equally proud of its cultural heritage: the Brontës, Lowry and the Beatles. Our sporting heritage is equally rich. A worldwide fan-base follows the north’s Premier League football teams; Rugby league was born in Huddersfield; and the Great North Run remains the world’s most friendly half-marathon.